Environmental Interrelationships PDF

Environmental Interrelationships  Environment The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.  Environmental Science referre...

Environmental Interrelationships  Environment The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.  Environmental Science referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates information and ideas from multiple disciplines. within the natural sciences, such fields as biology, chemistry, and geology Tenets of ecology Ecosystem Biotic vs. Abiotic Components Populations of an Ecosystem Producers (Algae, Phytoplankton, Plants) Consumers (Insects, Animals, Human, Bacteria, Fungi)  Heterotrophs/Consumers Omnivores Decomposers  Trophic level is a stage or step in the transfer of energy in a community. Energy flow Chemical Cycling  Food Chain A series of organisms feeding on one another. Grazing Food Chain  Detrital Food Chain detritus earthworm shrews Food Web DETRITAL FOOD WEB Ecological Pyramid Laws in Ecosystem Law of the Minimum Law of Tolerance Law of the Limiting Factors Law of the Minimum Justus von Liebig -if one of the essential requirements of an organism is deficient, the organism will have poor growth and development even all other requirements are abundant” growth is controlled not by the total amount of resources available but by the scarcest resource. Law of Tolerance -certain organism’s survival and existence depend upon the multifaceted set of conditions wherein each individual has definite minimum, maximum, and optimum ecological factors to establish success. Law of Limiting Factors Blackman’s Law -if a process is affected by more than one factor, then its rate will be determined by the factor which is nearest to its minimal value growth is regulated by its limiting resource  Biogeochemical cycles pathways by which chemicals circulate through ecosystems involving both biotic and geological components.  Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle) Carbon Cycle Play carbon cycle Carbon footprint Nitrogen Cycle Play N cycle Phosphorus Cycle Play P cycle Eutrophication Algal bloom Environmental resistance  Survivorship Curves A survivorship curve is a graphic way of representing the data in a life table The survivorship curve for Belding’s ground squirrels shows a relatively constant death rate Survivorship curves can be classified into three general types: Type I, Type II, and Type III